Beals v. Thompson
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Tort. The declaration alleged in substance, that, while the plaintiff was living happily with her husband, James H. Beals, a man of wealth and social position, the defendant maliciously wrote and sent to him three letters, “ among other things charging the plaintiff, in substance, with having obtained money and other property from the defendant by false pretences; with having been guilty of dishonorable conduct, deception, ingratitude, falsehood, and dishonesty toward and…
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Tort. The declaration alleged in substance, that, while the plaintiff was living happily with her husband, James H. Beals, a man of wealth and social position, the defendant maliciously wrote and sent to him three letters, “ among other things charging the plaintiff, in substance, with having obtained money and other property from the defendant by false pretences; with having been guilty of dishonorable conduct, deception, ingratitude, falsehood, and dishonesty toward and with the defendant; with having insulted and betrayed the defendant’s confidence; with having treated him meanly in return…
1Opinion of the CourtField, J.
This is an action of tort, in which the defendant is charged with writing and sending to the husband of the plaintiff a letter containing a false and malicious libel concerning the plaintiff. The defendant in his answer admits that he wrote and sent the letter, and he says that the contents of it were true, and that it was written and sent without malice; he also says that it was a privileged communication.
Letters of the defendant to the plaintiff were put in evidence, against the objection of the defendant, “ some of which,” as recited in the bill of exceptions, “ were received by her…
2Cases cited4 opinions
- White v. NichollsSupreme Court of the United States · 1845
- Lothrop v. AdamsMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1882
- Commonwealth v. DamonMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1884
- Perry v. PorterMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1878
3Cited by5 opinions
- Morasse v. BrochuMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1890
- Paxton v. WoodwardMontana Supreme Court · 1904
- May v. WoodMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1898
- Ecuyer v. New York Life InsuranceWashington Supreme Court · 1918
- Thompson v. DickinsonMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1893